In an effort to reach or surpass the vaunted 40-mpg mark that manufacturers have been aiming at for months now, Dodge will release the Dart Aero in the third quarter of this year. Although the Aero is still undergoing final engineering, Chrysler promises that the Dart Aero will receive an EPA highway rating of 41 mpg, up from the standard model’s 39.

According to Chrysler, the Aero will be based on the Dart’s 160-hp, 1.4-liter MultiAir turbo four (which we thoroughly enjoyed in our first drive of the Dart), employ low-rolling-resistance tires with specially designed aerodynamic wheel covers, and use aluminum in place of heavier materials. The package will be available with a manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic. The Aero’s features and infotainment content will be on par with that of the Dart SXT.